Thursday, August 30, 2012
Dell's New XPS Line Includes A Windows 8 RT Tablet

Today at IFA conference, Dell unveiled three additions to its XPS brand of computers: the XPS 10, a 10-inch tablet built to support WindowsRT; the XPS Duo 12 convertible; and XPS One 27 all-in-one PC.

The XPS 10 comes as Dell resets its tablet strategy after the company's previous Android-based devices failed in the market. Dell stopped selling the Streak 5 tablet-phone hybrid device around the middle of last year, and pulled the Streak 7 tablet late last year. The company's new tablet strategy revolves around Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 and RT operating systems.

Dell says that new XPS 10 embodies the intersection between work and play with touch capability, long battery life and mobile keyboard dock. The device is based on an ARM processor and runs the WindowsRT operating system.

The closest competitor to Dell's XPS 10 will be Microsoft's Surface tablets, which will ship at the launch of the new Windows operating systems on Oct. 26. Microsoft is offering Windows RT for ARM-based devices and Windows 8 for Intel-based devices, and Surface models will have both operating systems.

Dell has also tried to make the tablet attractive to businesses by adding enterprise features, and IT managers will be able to manage and secure the tablet remotely.

Windows RT tablets are expected to be attractive to some buyers and will likely be priced lower than Windows 8 tablets. In addition, Windows RT devices will not run existing Windows applications, so buyers will likely have few ties with Windows PCs running on x86 chips.

A Windows RT tablet has also been already announced by Asus and Acer is expected to announce a tablet at a later date. Lenovo has announced the ThinkPad Tablet 2, which has an Intel chip and Windows 8.

The second device announced today, the Dell XPS Duo 12, features a elegant flip hinge touchscreen display designed to take advantage of the upcoming operating system advances for touch interaction. The result is two products in one, providing the full functionality of an ultraportable laptop with keyboard plus the convenience of a tablet.

The device will come with the latest Intel processors, it features a Full HD screen that provides 97 percent more pixels than a standard HD display and is crafted from premium materials such as machined aluminum and carbon fiber, as well as Corning Gorilla Glass for durability.

The XPS One 27 AIO is designed for professionals. It features a 27-inch Wide Quad HD Display, Infinity Premium speakers and Waves MaxxAudio 4 audio technology.

The Dell XPS 10, XPS Duo 12 and XPS One 27 will be available for sale when Windows 8 is available at the end of October.